With sleep apnoea, a person’s breathing stops and starts several times throughout the night. Along with symptoms like loud snoring and daytime tiredness, sleep apnoea can eventually cause more serious complications, including high blood pressure, strain on the heart, and a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes.
Obstructive sleep apnoea results from relaxed muscles in the back of the throat, which prevents air from reaching the lungs, while central sleep apnoea occurs when there are problems transmitting signals from the brain to the muscles responsible for breathing. While there are many factors that can cause sleep apnoea, certain medications also increase your risk of developing the disorder.
Certain medications can impair the body’s ability to breathe normally during sleep. These drugs can cause physiological effects that make sleep apnoea more likely and can also disrupt normal sleep patterns. The following medications are most likely to contribute to breathing issues while sleeping:
Consumption of alcohol can also contribute to sleep apnoea, particularly when alcohol is consumed in high amounts.
It may be possible to change medications or adjust the dosage if a person experiences sleep apnoea related to medication. Doctors will also carefully consider the risks vs. the benefits of providing certain drugs to people with a higher risk of sleep apnoea.
If you take one of the above drugs, there are certain steps you can take to mitigate the chance of developing sleep problems, such as:
If you continue to experience symptoms, you and your doctor can explore treatments like CPAP devices or surgery